While the clinical evidence on each of these is scant, the most promising compounds based on preclinical or clinical data suggest that the following may increase the effectiveness (and often, decrease the side effects/toxicity) of chemotherapy and ... [Read More]
About Brian D. Lawenda, M.D.
Dr. Lawenda’s DIY Radiation Skin Protection Spray
When undergoing radiation therapy we often counsel our patients to use various skin moisturizing products, such as creams and lotions, 3-4 times per day, to help minimize the redness, peeling and blistering that may develop during a course of ... [Read More]
Optimized Health Composite Score and Consulting
EVERYONE should know their functional health status. I am now offering a remote (domestic and international) lab testing, self-quantification and consulting service to anyone, with or without a history of cancer. Implementing a cohesive, ... [Read More]
Prostate Cancer Basics Online Course
Dr. Brian Lawenda briefly introduces the Prostate Cancer Basics online course. He developed this easy to understand course to help patients learn more about their diagnosis of prostate cancer, the most common treatment options, side effects/risks and ... [Read More]
Breast Cancer Basics Online Course
Dr. Brian Lawenda developed this easy to understand course to help patients learn more about their diagnosis of breast cancer, the most common treatment options (as recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network expert panel), side ... [Read More]
Skin Cancer Signs, Symptoms and Self-Exam
In this short video, Dr. Brian Lawenda discusses signs and symptoms of the 3 most common types of skin cancer (basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas and melanoma). Everyone should do a monthly skin self-examination, and you'll see how this is ... [Read More]
Biohacking Your Stress: Breathing and Heart Rate Variability
In these stressful times, using simple, relaxation techniques can be very helpful to reduce your “fight or flight” nervous system activity and increase your heart rate variability (HRV). Increased HRV is associated with superior immune function, as ... [Read More]
Delayed Routine Cancer Screening: Know These Cancer Signs and Symptoms
Most routine cancer screenings are being delayed during the COVID pandemic to reduce the burden on the healthcare system. It is therefore very important to be aware of the signs and symptoms that could indicate the presence of cancer. In this ... [Read More]
Routine Cancer Screening During The Pandemic
One of the many casualties of the COVID crisis are the millions of individuals who are unable to get timely cancer screenings for an unknown amount of time due to cancelled or rescheduled appointments: —colorectal cancer (colonoscopies) —breast ... [Read More]
Tips To Help Cancer Patients Stay out of the Emergency Room
Staying out of the ER and urgent care in the COVID era is even more important these days. Many infections are believed to occur in the hospital through droplet exposure. Here are my TIPS for anyone with cancer: 1) Reduce your risks for ... [Read More]
Cologuard: Non-Invasive Colorectal Cancer Screening Stool DNA Test
Colon and rectal cancer screening can be done in the safety and convenience of your home. See my 2-minute video. The Cologuard DNA stool test is a non-invasive option for eligible patients, >/= 45 years of age (covered by many insurance ... [Read More]
What Should I Eat During and after Cancer? (version 1.2020)
One of the most common question my patients ask me is "what should I eat" during and after my cancer treatment. To answer this question requires knowing more about the specifics of each individual, such as: What type of cancer treatments are ... [Read More]
Why You Should Do A Self Breast Exam
Routine breast cancer screening with mammograms and other imaging studies is currently being deferred due to concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the use of screening mammograms save lives, there is controversy on recommending ... [Read More]
Video or Phone Integrative Oncology Consultations with Dr. Brian Lawenda
If you are overwhelmed, confused or don’t know which integrative oncology approaches to pursue for your cancer care, you are not alone. Dr. Brian Lawenda is a Harvard trained radiation oncologist, integrative oncologist and an expert in functional ... [Read More]
How to Support Your Immune System
The most important immune supportive approaches are not supplements, but lifestyle modifications: Get adequate sleepDo at least 30 minutes/day of dedicated stress reductionMaximize your intake of nutrient dense foods (great article)Minimize toxic ... [Read More]
Treating Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men (after skin cancer). Depending on the stage of your cancer, the management options may include: Non-metastatic prostate cancer may be treated with: Watchful waiting. Active surveillance. If the ... [Read More]
Who Should Consider Genetic Testing For Hereditary Mutations?
Everyone with a Breast Cancer History Should Get Testing If you have a personal history of breast cancer, you might want to consider getting tested for BRCA1, BRCA2 or PALB2 (and other hereditary cancer mutations), regardless of your family ... [Read More]
Why You Need To Know About Functional Drug Sensitivity Testing
There are some pretty big questions people need to ask before they agree to a chemotherapy regimen, especially if treatment was based on guidelines alone. Can the doctor do a better job of predicting which cancer drug(s) will have the best chance ... [Read More]
Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI)
Whenever possible, I offer my patients with early stage breast cancer a very short, 5-day radiation technique, at Northwest Cancer Clinic, called “accelerated partial breast irradiation” (APBI). If eligibility criteria are met, APBI is a great ... [Read More]
Dr. Lawenda’s 2020 Perspective on Vitamin C in Cancer Care
The use of vitamin C in cancer prevention and treatment is a controversial topic in oncology. Unless you are already using vitamin C, you may be surprised on what you’ll read. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. Since ... [Read More]
Are You Reducing Your Cancer Cell Glucose Metabolism? (AntiCancer Glucose Score)
While most cancers can fuel themselves on glucose, fatty acids, ketones and amino acids, their preferred energy source is glucose (due to the Warburg effect). Calculate your IOE AntiCancer Glucose Score. Use this app to learn how changes in ... [Read More]
How AntiCancer Are You? (Simple Online Calculator)
These basic (and modifiable) lifestyle variables are among the most highly associated with cancer development, recurrence and progression. Calculate your risk score with this simple online tool. ... [Read More]
Lymphedema After Cancer Treatment
Up to 5 million Americans suffer from lymphedema, mostly as a result of cancer treatment. This is a chronic condition that can develop as a consequence of surgery and/or radiation therapy to the lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, pelvis and groin ... [Read More]
Why Micronutrient Testing is Important for Cancer Patients and Survivors
Background: Dr. Lawenda recommends getting your micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) tested. Some assays also include testing of your amino acids and fatty acids. Did you know that most adults in the U.S. are deficient in multiple micronutrients? ... [Read More]
Why Gut Testing and Health is Important for Cancer Patients and Survivors
Background: Dr. Lawenda recommends periodic testing of GI microbiome health (microbial DNA assay), inflammation and leaky gut status, and adequacy of digestive enzymes. These issues can lead to a host of downstream effects that can promote cancer ... [Read More]
30 or 60-Minute Video or Phone Consultation
CONSULTATIONS WITH DR. LAWENDA Patients often wish to cover a variety of topics during our consultations, including: Your current, upcoming or past treatments (I can address the latest expert consensus guidelines, state of the art treatments, ... [Read More]
Use of Off-Label Drugs and Supplements in Cancer in 2020
Targeting cancer cell metabolism, growth signaling pathways and enhancing anti-cancer immunity are among the hottest topics being explored in oncology, today. It has become increasingly clear that many natural compounds, supplements and FDA-approved ... [Read More]
Get Strong, Calm and Grounded with Yoga
By Dr. Brian Lawenda, Conner Middelmann and Jenifer Linville (Founder, Unity Yoga of Tri-Cities, Richland, WA) If the thought of strenuous exercise scares you, you might want to try yoga. More and more people undergoing cancer treatment and ... [Read More]
Should You Take Probiotics and Prebiotics?
What is the Microbiome? Did you know that there are 10-times more microbes on and in the human body than there are human cells? We call the collection of these microbes our "microbiome." The majority of these microbes (which weigh as much as 5 ... [Read More]
IOE (No Drug) Sleep Tips
Many people nowadays struggle with sleep – getting to sleep, staying asleep or both – but people undergoing cancer treatment tend to be particularly affected by sleep problems. The causes vary. Insomnia may be due to anxiety, depression, ... [Read More]